Wokingham celebrates William and Kate

Hundreds of well-wishers took to the streets around Wokingham last Friday to celebrate the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton and to give their messages of congratulations to the happy couple.

Caroline Cook looks at how Wokingham celebrated the Royal Wedding. For the most thorough coverage of the town's street parties see this week's souvenir edition of the Wokingham Times .

Hundreds of well-wishers took to the streets around Wokingham last Friday to celebrate the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton and to give their messages of congratulations to the happy couple.

Streets were bathed in Union flags and bunting as people threw traditional street parties to mark the Royal Wedding in the biggest celebration Wokingham has seen for more than 25 years.

While just a few miles down the road residents in the new Duchess of Cambridge’s home town of Bucklebury were celebrating with a huge village party, the spirit of the occasion also captured Wokingham.

Wedding cakes and Champagne toasts were seen in streets around the borough as neighbours joined together to raise a glass to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

Around 50 people went along to Wokingham Methodist Church in Rose Street to watch the ceremony on the big screen as it was televised live from Westminster Abbey.

The crowd watched as the Berkshire bride made her way down the aisle in a stunning dress designed by British designer Sarah Burton at Alexander McQueen. This was a particularly exciting moment for one local resident, as Sandhurst woman Anne Butcher actually worked on the Duchess’ dress.

Mrs Butcher, 44, was among a team of embroiderers from the Royal School of Needlework who spent hours creating the intricate design’s on the beautiful lace and ivory satin gown, which was one of the most highly anticipated elements of the big day.

Mrs Butcher, who runs courses for the Royal School of Needlework, described taking part in the creation of the dress as a “once-in-a-lifetime chance”.

She said: “We’ve all enjoyed the experience.”

A moment of silence fell as the couple said their vows in front of their friends, family and dignitaries from around the world.

Twyford MP and Home Secretary Theresa May was among the guests seen filing into the Abbey, as she was among Government dignitaries invited to the ceremony.

Many people from around Wokingham opted to watch the ceremony from the comfort of their own homes before spilling out into the street after the couple shared two kisses on the balcony at Buckingham Palace.

And the parties got well underway in Wokingham from 2pm with the scent of barbecues filling the air and music being heard around the streets.

One of the biggest celebrations was held in Norreys Avenue where more than 200 people joined forces for an afternoon of fun and games.

Candice Wright, community development officer for Norreys, organised a traditional street party similar to one held in the road 30 years ago to mark the wedding of Prince Charles and Princess Diana.

She said: “Everyone really pulled together for the party and it’s been absolutely brilliant. There’s lots of faces you probably wouldn’t normally see at events and that’s fantastic.”

“I hope William and Kate are very very happy together and stay true to each other and enjoy the rest of their lives and the lives of their future children.”

Claire Saul from Medway Close in Wokingham also gave her congratulations to the couple as she enjoyed a traditional street party with neighbours and friends.

She said: “All of us that have been married know that there’s an awful lot to take in and then some for them so I hope they’ve enjoyed their day.

“I think all the residents would agree that we wish them a very happy life together and hope they enjoy every moment together.”

Medway Close was among many streets which were decked in red, white and blue for the day with residents partying the afternoon away in Winnersh, Wokingham, Swallowfield, Woosehill, Woodley and Lower Earley.

Steve Sansom from the Joel Park Residents’ Association helped organise a party in the park to mark the occasion which saw around 150 people setting up picnics and barbecues.

He said: “We wish William and Kate all the very best for the future and hope your lives are really prosperous.”

Mora Crawley, from Wokingham, was also enjoying the day in Joel Park and said: “I’m happily married for 14 years so I wish them joy together. They look very natural and very much in love.”

Police stepped up patrols over the weekend to keep the peace during the celebrations.

Assistant Chief Constable Steve Rowell, of Thames Valley Police, said: “Levels of crime and disorder were generally lower than normal, albeit there were some localised, isolated incidents where excess alcohol caused problems. Officers and PCSOs received a very warm welcome at the street parties they attended, and overall, the day must be regarded as a friendly, successful celebration of national pride.”